French Franco Prussian War, Garde Nationale Mobile Officers Uniform Group
This item is listed for historical interest only. It was listed on our site previously but has been sold and is no longer available for purchase.
Sold for: $2395.00

Original era manufacture. A rare uniform grouping, as worn by a junior officer in a Garde Mobile battalion during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71. The grouping includes the following, officers kepi in the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, matching double breasted frock coat in the rank of 1st Lieutenant, officers private purchase satchel or haversack, and an officers sword belt with buckle. 1. Kepi. Partial Paris makers label inside the top of the kepi, with a black silk lining, and gold trimmed leather sweatband. Blue wool top, with red wool band, trimmed in gold brocade. Scattered mothing to the wool of the hat, but nothing out of the ordinary for its age and rarity. 2. Double breasted frock coat in dark blue wool with two external hip pockets, and its full complement of Garde Mobile Nationale buttons throughout. Red wool collar and cuffs, with red wool piped shoulder straps, running up each sleeve is an elaborate gold brocade gallon indicating the rank of a 1st Lieutenant. White silk padded lining with an inner leather belt and attaching buckle. Black polished cotton lining to the tails with two hidden pockets. The coat has shows some scattered mothing, most to be seen on the cuffs and collars, with some of them having been repaired. 3. Pliable black patent leather sword belt with a M1845 pattern officers buckle. No sword straps remain, however the mounting point and hook remain on the left side, in addition to an oval shaped, leather uniform protector. 4. Officers private purchase black leather satchel or haversack, of a style or pattern often seen in period photographs of the era. It is sound, with an intact, unbroken shoulder strap. Overall the leather is pliable, showing normal age and wear. This set has been in our own collection for many years, new collection acquisitions, resulting in more loss of space in my already over-crowded collecting room, has resulted in this wonderful old set being offered for sale.